The Community of Madrid is facing a crisis with over 10,000 evacuated due to wildfires in Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeiglesias. The situation has led to the declaration of a national emergency.
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated in the southwest of the Community of Madrid due to a series of wildfires that have triggered a severe emergency in the region. The most affected towns include Villa del Prado, Aldea del Fresno, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, and Pelayos de la Presa, where the flames have rapidly advanced, forcing residents to leave their homes.
The fires started almost simultaneously and are characterised by their high spread capacity, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions such as high temperatures and strong winds. In response to this crisis, the Spanish government has declared the emergency of national interest, allowing for the coordination of state and regional resources to combat the fire.
One of the most concerning fronts originated in Villa del Prado, where the fire directly threatened Aldea del Fresno. Approximately 3,500 inhabitants were evacuated to Villamanta after receiving urgent alerts via ES-Alert messages sent by Civil Protection.
In total, more than 270 professionals, including firefighters and members of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), are working to control the fires that have already ravaged about 890 hectares. The situation is critical; roads are closed and it is advised to avoid any travel to the affected areas.
As efforts to contain the fires progress, it has become evident that it is not just the fire in Villa del Prado. A second fire started in San Martín de Valdeiglesias following a vehicle accident on the M-501 road, rapidly spreading towards Pelayos de la Presa.
Despite the joint effort among different operational bodies, the fronts remain not fully controlled. Teams face significant challenges due to the dry terrain and the constant risk of fire reactivation.
Local authorities have set up temporary shelters for those evacuated who have nowhere to go, while continuing to assess the environmental and material impact caused by these devastating fires. It is estimated that at least 26 homes have been damaged so far.
As the situation evolves, public services urge citizens to follow official instructions and stay informed about possible new evacuations or changes in weather conditions.
There is no clear timeline on when it will be possible to return to the evacuated areas; however, operations are expected to continue until all active fronts are completely controlled.
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